Mr. Denver: The Version You Didn't Hear

Chapter 26

Her face was priceless.

“A… an heir?” she stammered, eyes wide like I’d grown horns. I leaned back in my chair, fully calm. Too calm.

“Yeah,” I said. “An heir. Give me a child and I’ll leave you alone. You’ll be free to roam the world, seduce any man you like.” That was the line. That was the bomb. I expected outrage and she delivered.

“Seduce any man? Do you think I’m a slut?” I kept my smirk. She stood abruptly, furious. “Why should I give you an heir, Jacob? Go buy one. Hire a surrogate. Pay a woman to warm your bed and carry your precious bloodline.”

“Nah,” I replied smoothly. “I want good genes and you’ve got them.” I reached out and caressed her arm. She shoved my hand away like it was poisonous.

“Wow. These are your true colors, huh?”

“No, sweetheart. This is what happens when someone plays with me.” I gave her the choice. She pushed back. I wasn’t ready to lose, but I didn’t realize how far I’d gone until it was too late.

“I’m not marrying you. And I’m not giving you an heir,” she snapped and stormed off my lap. Fine. Then I made the call—to the office, listing her favorite coworkers like poker chips I was willing to burn. She stared at me in disbelief.

“You rolled your eyes?”

“I’m firing them, Catherine.”

“I’ll recruit them all. I’m Ashton. You think they’ll hesitate?” she shot back, standing tall, uncowed. She had me cornered, and we both knew it.

“Smart woman,” I murmured. “That’s why I need your genes.”

“Jacob, you’re sick.”

I leaned close, our noses nearly brushing. “Just give me an heir. We don’t have to get married.”

“I’m not giving you anything.” She turned away. I gave her a teasing kiss on the lips.

“Then let’s go to Toronto. We have a wedding to prepare.” I walked inside, confident in my control. Only I didn’t know… I’d already lost it.

***

Later that morning, she claimed she had a nail appointment. I didn’t believe her, but I played along. As she walked to her car, I snuck up behind her, arms around her waist. She was tense.

“Where are you going?” I whispered, kissing her cheek.

“Nail appointment. Are you deaf?”

“I’ll let you go… if you give me a kiss.” She rolled her eyes, but turned around. Cupped my face. Kissed me slow, deep. The kind of kiss that made it feel like I’d won.

“Okay, that’s enough,” she said, pushing me away.

“When will you be back? Let’s head to Toronto together.”

“Two to three hours. Hands and toes.” I nodded. Watched her get in the car, she waved goodbye and gave me a flying kiss. Until five hours passed. Then seven, then nine, then her phone stopped ringing after I tried calling her.

Then I checked the flight logs. And I realized—She’d boarded a plane.

To Texas.

She was gone and I’d pushed her away with my ego, my pride, my damn heir ultimatum. Suddenly, everything I’d pretended to control slipped right out of my hands. And for the first time… I wasn’t angry.

I was fucking terrified.